SR 13 Summary

• Authorizes introduction of the Arkansas Human Heartbeat and Human Life Civil Justice Act, which prohibits abortion except to save the pregnant woman's life in a medical emergency.

• Establishes civil liability through private lawsuits allowing any person or entity (except state officials) to sue those who perform, induce, aid, or abet abortions in violation of the law, with minimum statutory damages of $10,000 per abortion.

• Prohibits public enforcement by state and local officials, instead creating a private enforcement mechanism through civil actions with a three-year statute of limitations.

• Defines "unborn child" as beginning at fertilization and exempts women upon whom abortions are performed from civil or criminal liability, as well as those acting under federal authority.

• Declares an emergency, claiming increased abortions in Arkansas harm unborn children and pregnant women's health, making the act effective upon gubernatorial approval or expiration of veto period.